“Of course, I do. That was thirteen people. Thirteen souls. They were daughters and sons and lovers and children. And they’re justgone. We have nothing to tell their families. No way of reassuring anyone that it can’t happen again.” I lean my head back and let out a heavy sigh. I’m carrying such a strange weight. Part of me is desperate to save everyone, while part of me wants to burn down this entire empire. How can I possibly do both?
“We’ll figure it out.”
I look at him. “Will we? Because so far, we have no leads.”
“As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know. Aside from actual answers, which I don’t have, is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” His question is genuine.
We must be missing something. “I want more books.”
“Books?”
“There were only three books about plants in the library here. There were more than that left behind in my old rooms at the castle. There has to be more. I want to see anything we can find about plants in Pendralia, Iskvaland, even from the Shatterlands. Whatever we can find.”
“I’m not sure we have those kinds of books available,” he says.
“Well, if they exist, I want them. That elm’s breath is native to the Shatterlands. It’s not meant to grow here. We mustbe missing something. Maybe another plant that shouldn’t be here.”
He nods. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.”
His expression softens. “In the meantime, Your Majesty, please try to get some rest.”
I know he’s noticing the purple circles under my eyes. Sleep hasn’t been easy lately. “Will you tell me as soon as you have any updates on my husband?”
I want to ask about Brevan, but I know I shouldn’t. And I know if I get news about Caiden, it’ll include the enforcer as well.
“You’ll be the first to know.”
“Good.” I rise from my seat, then push my chair in out of habit. “I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
He gets on his feet and bows. “It’s an honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”
I want to tell him thank you again, but I know Caiden wouldn’t, so I nod, then stride toward the door. The legionnaires open it for me and when I step outside, Nate and four other guards are waiting for me.
“Any news?” he asks.
“Nothing yet. Did you find anything?” I ask him quietly. “About either thing?”
He shakes his head.
Feeling defeated, I start toward my rooms. I could really, really use a bit of good news but I’m starting to wonder if such a thing exists anymore.
Thirty-One
Sabina
Vines slither up my body, wrapping themselves around me. I claw at them, tearing them from me. The more I pull, the tighter they get. My arms are bound, my legs tied with more of the twisting green plants.
I’m trapped.
I thrash and turn but the more I fight, the more they constrict. The light fades and suddenly I’m plunged into darkness. I try to scream, but my voice is gone. There’s nothing there. Nobody’s coming to save me.
It can’t end like this. This isn’t how I die.
I wake with a start, tugging at the blankets that are wrapped around me like the vines in my nightmare. I pull at my clothes, hating the way they feel like they’re suffocating me. It was anotherdream. My hair sticks to my wet forehead, and I’m panting.
Still, I don’t want to remain in the blankets that were holding me captive. I slip off the bed and pad over to the dying fireplace. The embers glow gold and red, illuminating the room with a strange, faint light.
